By Laine M. Rutherford
The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA.)
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The city’s free pre-hospital emergency care and ambulance service doesn’t happen without people.
That’s why a steady influx of trained volunteers is vital for one of Virginia Beach’s best assets to thrive.
Geri Autunno helps ease citizens through learning to be an Emergency Medical Services volunteer. As human resources manager for the Department of Emergency Medical Services, she holds twice-monthly orientations.
The 90-minute sessions are on Saturday mornings or weekdays in the early evening to accommodate schedules. Upcoming orientations are Saturday and April 21.
“We get people from all walks of life at our orientations,” Autunno said. “Some want to volunteer to further a career, but I’d say most of them do it to give back. "
The sessions give an overview of the EMS system, including an explanation of the application process. Autunno outlines available positions and the free training and certifications for volunteers.
Beach EMS has 450 active members, said Chief Bruce Edwards.
“The people who want to go out on ambulance runs are usually Type A’s and people who like an adrenaline rush. But we also have folks who help out with fundraising, administrative duties, our specialty teams,” Autunno said.
“There are probably a lot of misconceptions about our rescue service. When we bring them into the orientation sessions, people can look at all the various aspects of the rescue service and they can find out all of the choices they have within the big choice,” Edwards said.
Bobby O’Donnell , 26, is an emergency medical technician who volunteers with Station 14 at the Oceanfront. The three-year volunteer rescue squad member will graduate from Eastern Virginia Medical School in April and begin his residency at Portsmouth Naval Hospital; he’ll specialize in anesthesiology. As often as possible, he’ll continue to volunteer with Rescue 14.
“I do this because it reminds me why I wanted to go into medicine. It reminds me of the human element,” O’Donnell said. “Working in the hospital, you can become jaded.
“Running rescue, we see people when they need us the most and we get to help people when they need us the most.”
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